Katherine Mae Capps

May 21, 1924 - May 19, 2012

Katherine Mae Middlemas Capps, age 87, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, left this life for her heavenly home, on May 19, 2012 at 10:30 p.m... She had formerly lived in Danville, Illinois. She was born on May 21, 1924, in Georgetown, Illinois, to Ray and Rilla (Macklin) Middlemas. Her mother Rilla died when Katherine was seven years old. She was raised by her paternal grandparents, James and Jennie Middlemas. She graduated from Georgetown High School in 1942, and from the St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, Danville, Illinois in 1945 as a registered nurse.

She married Charles R. Capps Sr. on July 7, 1946, in Danville, Illinois. They had three children. Charles R. Capps Jr. (deceased), Robert Ray (Madonna) Capps of Mesa, Arizona, and Lisa Ann Capps of Spring Hill, Tennessee. She has two grandchildren: Joshua Ian (Peggy) Capps of Portland, Oregon, and Jenna Ashley (Troy) Davis of Apache Junction, Arizona, a great-granddaughter, Paisley Rose Davis and two step-great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Grifyn Davis of Arizona.

Mrs. Capps was active in the Danville Parent/Teacher Association (PTA), having been a past President of the PTA’s at Oaklawn Elementary School, East Park Jr. High School, Danville High School, and the Danville Council. She was a life member of the PTA.

Mrs. Capps was a housewife and mother for many years before returning to work in November 1976, as the Assistant Director of Nursing and Staff Development Coordinator with Americana Nursing Home in Danville, Illinois. She retired on August 22, 1989.

She was active in First Baptist Church, Danville, Illinois, as a deaconess, as a member of the school board for First Baptist Christian School, as a Sunday school teacher of the Primary Department. She was previously on the music committee, she sang in the church choir for many years, was a member of the Missionary Board and had been a youth sponsor for the junior high and high school youth groups at the church. Mrs. Capps had also been active in the Camp Assurance program, having been a past President of the Camp Assurance Ladies Association and was the camp nurse for many years.

Mrs. Capps organized the Stroke Survivors Support Group of Illiana in 1991, after suffering a stroke in December 1988. She was the President of the group for a number of years. She was awarded the Stroke Victor Award from the American Heart Association in 2001 for her ongoing commitment to victims and families of strokes.

Mrs. Capps enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, step-great-grandchildren, her sister, Joan Dubre, numerous nieces and nephews and three very close friends of the family Edwina Bunting, Debbie Martinie-Hardin, and Gus Dallas. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, parents-in-law, her husband, Charles R. Capps Sr., her son, Charles R. Capps Jr., and a sister, Jane Toney. An honorary pallbearer will be Mark Miller.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Danville, Illinois on May 24, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Jerry Cummins officiating. Visitation will be at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Danville, Illinois on May 23, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and also after 12 noon Thursday at the Church. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Danville, Illinois. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements and announcements.

Other than the active pallbearers serving, Mark Miller will be an honorary pallbearer.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mid South Chapter, 4205 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 216, Nashville, TN 37215.

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